Keep the Football Field for Football: Flag Politics and Religion

Keep the football field for football. Keep it free of politics and religion. Everyone's.

Last week, Denver Bronco wide receiver Brandon Marshall's attempt to make an end-zone sign of unity for Barack Obama was halted by teammate Brandon Stokley, who feared a 15-yard penalty.

Many players spend much time repeatedly gesturing skyward, praying on bended knee, and repeatedly praising God for providing them with the skills or luck to throw, catch, or kick a small ball. 

Does God watch football and play favorites? Does he have the time and inclination, with all the problems haunting this giant glittering globe, to pet his favorite pigskin passer, guide his pass, and then secretly smile as he basks in the special praise of his chosen child?

Is he concentrating his powers to bend the flight of a pigskin covered ball to help his healthy and wealthy chosen child win a "game"? While less lucky children endure war, death, and famine, God helps some chosen players win a game?

God does not play dice with the universe, but he does play football in it?

And God has favorite teams and players? When those nouns change to leaders and nations people always end up getting killed trying to sort out who really are the favorite hometown fans of God.

I like my football free of politics and religion.  

If you want to make a political statement stage a press conference or write an article or book. Better yet, volunteer for a favorite campaign in your free time. Make speeches, hit the stump, and give them something all politicians love most of all, your money.

With all the ills of this old—and often evil—world, does anyone think that God spends his time working towards making sure millionaire NFL players throw a TD, make a sack, or kick a ball through the uprights? Is there not other more pressing problems lingering about? Again, it's great if those players go to church, work for charity, donate money, or go on religious pilgrimages to aid the afflicted but, again, save it for your personal life.

At the end of the game, maybe talk about how good your were at the hot deep read Sunday. The one that you used to beat that slow witted, slower running, old safety deep each time, not that you won the big game because God loves you so very much.

Keep the football field for football.

Sports should be a sanctuary from everyday ills and arguments so keep it simple. Keep your personal life private or every player will be  promoting a particular politician or praising a different deity every time he makes a decent play.

Spare us.

Nothing is more divisive than politics and religion. Must they be added to the bubbling emotional brew of sports? Can't we just argue Bears and Packers and put the Donkeys and Elephants away for a day?

Or else do not complain when half-mad defensive tackles begin giving an Ode to the Great Good Eye of Wise Old Odin Demonstrations and waving, snot covered Vote Gonzo Freak Power crotch flags every time they make a sack. Vikings liked to sack cities, so why not salute Odin upon making a sack? Maybe DE Jared Allen is doing that in Minnesota already?

Did old Washington Redskin running back John Riggins do the Loki Celebration Victory Dance after he plowed in for TDs? Or did he just toast Dionysus and Jack Kent Cooke after the game was over?

Freedom of speech and religion are rights for all players, of course, but the NFL has to maintain a certain degree of on field discipline so the game can function properly. The time for political demonstrations or religious declarations are when the player is on his own personal time. Not after every touchdown and sack.

Keep the football field for football.

After the game, sacrifice to Thor or Neptune if you like, or go on a fire-breathing stump to elect John Riggins Grand Great Czar of the District of Columbia, write raging editorials that would make Thomas Paine ugly with envy, stump and storm cities like cranky Andrew Jackson fighting the National Bank, lead vibrant religious revivals, take a nation wide train ride, and turn into a Teddy Roosevelt meets Oral Roberts larger-than-life cult of personality leader dedicated to reviving this debauched nation.

Do all this and do more. Just do it off the field.

Leave the football field for football.